Connector for windshield wiper arms



April 27, 1954 NESSON I 2,676,351

CONNECTOR FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS Filed March 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l vill/1 ll/lllll'llllll,

April 27, 1954 l. NEssoN 2,676,351 CONNECTOR FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS Filed March 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 27," 1954 OFFICE 1 2,676,351 CONNECTOR FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS Israel Nesson, Lynn,

Max Zaiger,

Mass., assignor to Swampscott, Mass.

Application March 28, 1950, Serial N0. 152,401

4 Claims.

,flfliis linvention relates to windshield wipers, andvpertains more particularly to improvements the' connector elements employed for separably Eattaching a wiper blade to the free end of an o plerating Wiper arm designed for use with a clip element of the connector. p .'.',Theprincipal purpose of the invention is to providethe wiper arm and wiper blade with releasabl'y interlocking connector elements so constructed land arranged as to provide a true pivotal bearing between the connected members, which are securely held in pivotal engagement under spring pressure, preferably exerted in the directionrtowardwhich the arm end is conventionally 'tensioned by the wiper arm, until the members are manually separated. l `Another-object of the invention is to substan- -tially eliminate the noisy chattering heretofore characteristic of most arm-blade connections during operative movement of the arm, by restraining all relative movement between the interconnected elements of the improved connec- I tcr, except the desired angular or pivotal movement of the arm in the arm-blade plane,vwhich .is slight and silent in normal operation. The spring-pressed interlocking, pivotal connection 'above mentioned restrains relative longitudinal,

forfdirectly transverse movement between the arm `vend and the blade clip; tilting of the arm end in the clip is restrained bythe special, laterally oil"- set formation of the arm end and the engagement ofits side edges with the sides of the clip, a.as hereinafter explained; Vand angular movement of..th arm transversely of the blade is further .avoidedby the deected tail-piece construction hereafter described in connection with a modied form ofthe connector elements.

.-@further purpose of this invention is to pro- .videco'nnector elements which are relatively sim-ple andeconomical to manufacture, durable `ir i. ..u se. Aeasilyconnected together and interlocked -.b yfpressing the arm end into the'blade clip, and

vreadily separated by manually pressing the arm endtransversely of the clip, in a direction away from the blade, to release the spring-pressed pivotal engagement, and then retracting the arin Yfrom the clip. The improved connector thus ,affords areadily separable but secure, interlock- ,ingu-pivotal connection without the necessity .of ,providing a separate, manually releasable latch interconnected velements constitutes the only "latching, or locking element of the improved device and the spring pressure acts to hold the arm 'endona pivot element of the clip in such a way that any wear on thepivotal bearing is compenelement. The spring associated with one of the 2 sated by the action of the spring, thereby avoiding looseness and chattering at the pivot even after long use of the improved windshield wiper.

These objects are attained by providing a windshield wiper in which the connector means preferably comprise a clip mounted on the wiper blade and having a shaft-like bearing element fixed transversely between parallel sides of the clip; a wiper arm having a laterally offset end formed to provide a socket-like bearing element pivotally engageable with the bearing element of the clip; and a leaf spring associated with one of the bearing elements and pressing against the other bearing element when the parts are connected, releasably to secure the parts in pivotal engagement.

Other features of the improved connector will be described in connection with the recommended embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the appended claims. It will be understood, however, that the structural details of the devices herein illustrated and described may be varied to suit particularpurposes without departing from the essence of the invention as set forth in said claims.

In theA drawings, Y f Y Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a windshield wiper arm and blade interconnected by the improved connector means;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the improved connector means, showing the operative position of the interconnected elements, the rubber kwiper strip of the blade being omitted;

Fig. 3 isa view similar to Fig. 2 showing the relation of the connector parts while the end of the arm is being manually pressed into interlocking position with the clip on the blade holder;

Fig: 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 indicating the relationship of the connector parts While the arm end is manually pressed upwardly to release the pivotal connection therebetween;

Fig. 5is an enlarged transverse section onV line 5 5 ofFigxl, certain parts'beyond the plane of section being omitted;

v Fig.'6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modification of the bearing element in the blade clip, the'wiper arm being omitted;

Fig. 7`is' a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of the connector elements;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another modication of the connector elements; and i v Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section on line 9-9 of Fig.8.' y.

In the form chosen for the purpose of illustration in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the windshield wiper comprises a wiper blade having a rigid metal holder or shell II, formed with a channel I2 receiving the bead I3 of a rubber wiper strip I4 in the manner described in my copending application Serial No. 93,009, iiled May 413, 1949, for Windshield Wiper Blade; a clip, generally indicated at I5 in Fig. 1, comprising a housing I6 having base flanges or walls I1 provided with tongues I8 passing through openings in the top of the holder II and crimped thereunder' to secure the clip rigidly to the Wiper blades, spaced parallel sides I9, an end wall and a top wall 2|, as shown in Fig. 2; a wiper arm body generally indicated at 22 having an arm 23 providedwith a laterally offset end portion 24 orm'ed by the'defleeting shoulders 25 and 26 and having a bearing socket 21 in the form of a transversegroove, near its tip; a shaft-like bearing 28 preferably 'consisting oa pivot pin fixed transversely of the clipbetween the sides i9, as by the shankvof the rivetshown in Fig. 5; and a leaf spring rr29 disposed in the-clip housing I6 engaging the bot tomrend and top of the housing and having an end `portion. 30 resiliently engaging the outer surface of the bearing element'21 when the parts :are pivotally connected as shown in Fig. 2,-'or releasably locking said parts in connectedrelation. The spring 29 is preferably shaped so 4that'it may be removablyinserted into the open end ofthe clip'hou'sing and'retaine'd therein by a depending flange'3l atthe freeend of the clip top -2I, rand bythe shaft-like bearing element 28.

The opposite end -f the wiperfarm may be provided with any suitable coupling L32 for attaching the' arm tothe projecting shaft of' a conventional windshield Wiper motor (notshown). The wiper arm maybe of any 'desired design, provided it is equipped with'an end portion'havingthe socketcearing 21, said end portion being preferably o'iiset `as above described so that 'the portion 24 maybe disposed'closely adjacent the holder Il ofthe wiper blade, while the maior portion ofthe-arm 23'is spaced a substantial distance from the wiper blade. Variousmeans may be provided for rigidly attaching thefcliphousing i6 to'theholder Il.

The bearing elements 21 and'28 of 7the wiper arm 23 and theblade clip I6 afforda true pivotal bearingv between thearm 'and the blade, and the spring 29 resiliently locks the bearing *elements inoperative relation,-so that any movemcntfbetween the pivotally connected parts, 'except' piv- 'otal movement is eliminated, 'and so Vthat :any wear on the bearing surfaceis takenvupbythe pressure 'of thespring. 'Noise or-chattering due torelative movement at the pivot'fis 'thus obviated. The spring'also tends torestrain lateral tilting of the arm in the clip, and the possibilityo'f'such tilting is further avoided by the sliding engagement between the side tedges of the oiset end portion ofthe' wiper arm andthe sides AI9 of the lclip housing, the width of the oiiset arm end being substantially equal to 'or very slightly less than the 4distance between the-clip sides I9, The improved connection thus affords a smoothly and silently 'acting separable connection between the Wiper varm randzthe wiper blade.

.The arrnfen'd .isinsertedintothe clip I S, asindicatedin Fig. 3, by manually pressing it endwise against the end portion 30 of the spring 29, so lthat -the spring -end is ylifted. -to permit the socket bearing 21 to engage over the shaft onpin .the socket `bearing 21 4 bearing 28 with a snap action. The interlock is accomplished smoothly and quickly, and no additional latching means are necessary to hold the parts in interlocking relation. The arm end is removed from the clip, as indicated in Fig. 4, by manually lifting the arm away from the wiper blade, to deflect the spring .end.30-.and permit :to be witlfdrawnfover the top of the pin bearing 28.

The shaft-like or pin-like, pivotal bearing carried by the clip I6 may take various'forms, as desired. ".For example, in the modification shown -in Fig. 6, the clip is provided with a bearing element 38 -formed by bending the leaf lspring 2l' uponitselflto provide a transverse loop adapted to be engaged by the socket bearing 21 of the arm -end -shown .in the previous figures. The bearing 38 is considered to be a pivotal bearing element, within the meaning of that term as used herein and in the appended claims.

VThe locking springA of the improvetlfconnector may also take various Aforma-and may'beapplied tothe arm end, instead of withinfthejoliphousing, if desired. As showrnfor examplepinFigf'l an'offset armend 24 of the wiper-'arm'rabove described has a leaf spring `39`appli`ed ltolitsu'nderside and having aretaining portionrwhich engages the underside of the pivot 'bearing :Il which corresponds to the bearing '528" f thefprevious viigures. The spring 39j may be attalidto the wiper arm by the-rivet'42, orfbyi'fh'erirais` tening means. The top' of the clip may'fb'e'fprovided with a downwardly vand rearwardly inclined flange 43^for Yguiding .the-armfen'd 'during its insertion into the clip; and-the`ba'se ff'tlre clip housing may have `a'ralse'd"tongue iIL-to serve as a stopengageable bythe 'downwardly curved end 400i thespring, kswinging movement of the arm'rlative blade.

'In the further vxnodiiicationfshowngiriFgsdS and Q, the wiper arm 23' is providedfwithfanfen portion 55 which is offsetto a `lsomewhat vlets extent than the larm 'endfpreviously described. The arm end 54 does'notfhave an integralfsocket bearing element, but is'provi'de'd with.ran'under lying channel member I55'havingfsides'56 fiofrxid with complemental notches "51 'whiclitconstitiite socket bearings -engageable 'over the rpin'beariiig 4I. The channel member is's'ecuredbeneathithe armv end`54 by'a, rivet V51 orother `fastefriing. A'A spring 58, somewhat similar Ito the vspring llff Fig. 7 is "att-ached tothe undersideof the farm 23 as by 'a rivet "5B, andrhasa free endipo'rtion 60 engageable beneath the pin '4I k.when*tlre'sparts are connected in'sbstantially the'same'manner as the spring end f4!! "of v-Fig."*1. Theis'ties 5&:161 the channel members are vpreferablyzprc'viiiled with free,-outwardly deiiected tail yLprr'tions 'SL as best'shown inFig9. Thesetail'poiftionsiiear resiliently against the inner-surfacesffthefclip sides I9, and thus furtherrestrainianyl tendency of the armendto 'swinglaterally within thelclip and'thu's to cause'noise orchattering 4duringthe operation of thewindshield wiper.

It will 'beobserved that in each f-thelllus trated Iorms of the improved connector Pm'ean's, the spring which holds the :separable pai-ts lin pviotally connected' relation, urges'rthej-eniivf-th'e wiper arm inthe` direction inwhich it`ispressed by the conventional yarm "tension vrsupplied "by a tension spring (notsh'own) `in thebodyofthe wiper arm, to press the wiperblade againsttlie windshield. Thespring ofappli'cants connector worn-1e resiliently .presses nthe A.socket bearing .elements .f

the arm ends of Figs. 7 and 8, as well as the arm end of Figs. 1 to 5, toward the wiper blade, so that the action of said spring does not counteract the action of the conventional tension spring in the wiper arm.

A windshield wiper equipped with the improved connector means herein described is simple and economical to manufacture, easy to assemble and disconnect, durable and eiiicient in use, and unusually silent in operation.

I claim:

1. In a windshield wiper, connector means comprising a clip mounted on the wiper blade and having spaced, substantially parallel sides, a pivotal bearing element xed transversely between said sides, a wiper arm having an end insertable between said clip sides and provided with a socket-like bearing element pivotally and releasably engageable with said pivotal bearing element on the side thereof opposite said wiper blade, and a leaf spring associated 'with one of said bearing elements and resiliently engaging the other bearing element when said elements are pivotally connected, said spring acting to urge said arm end toward said blade and having an end portion engaging said pivotal bearing element on the side thereof away from said blade when the arm is removed from the clip.

2. In a windshield wiper, connector means comprising a clip vmounted on the wiper blade and having spaced, substantially parallel sides, a shaft-like bearing element fixed transversely between said sides, a wiper arm having an end insertable between said clip sides and provided with a socket-like bearing element pivotally and releasably engageable with said shaft-like bearing element on the side thereof opposite said wiper blade, and a leaf spring associated with one of said bearing elements and resiliently engaging the other bearing element when said elements are pivotally connected, said spring acting to urge said arm toward said blade, said clip having top, bottom and end walls, and said spring being removably received in said clip and having portions engaging said walls and having an end portion engaging said shaft-like bearing element on the side thereof away from said blade when the arm end is removed from the clip.

3. In a windshield wiper, connector means comprising a clip mounted on the wiper blade and having spaced, substantially parallel sides,

urge said arm end toward said blade and havingr an end portion engaging said pivotal bearing eiement on the side thereof away from said blade when the arm is removed from the clip, the said end of the wiper arm being oiiset in spaced, su'ostantially parallel relation to said arm, thereby forming shoulders having edges slidably engageable with the sides of said clip when the arm end is inserted therein.

4. In a windshield wiper, connector means for separably attaching a wiper blade to a wiper arm, comprising a clip housing having a bottom fixed tc the wiper blade and having spaced, substam tially parallel sides, a top wall and an end wall, one end of the clip being open to receive the end portion of a wiper arm inserted therein, a bearing pin fixed transversely of the housing between its sides and above its bottom, a wiper arm having a laterally offset end portion provided with a transverse groove forming a socket bearing engageable with said pin, and a leaf spring contained in said clip housing and having an end portion pressing on said arm end on the side thereof opposite said groove, to hold the connected parts in pivotal engagement when the arm end is applied to said pin on the side thereof away from said blade, said spring end portion engaging said bearing pin when the arm is removed from the clip.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

